asked the Secretary of State for Trade when he expects the investigation by his Department into matters pertaining to the Real Estate Fund of America will be concluded; and whether he will arrange for a report to be published and make a statement to Parliament.

Inquiries by officers of the Department into the affairs of two companies associated with the Real Estate Fund of America Ltd. were made under Section 109 of the Companies Act 1967 and concluded in November 1970. I am precluded by Section 111 of the Act from disclosing or publishing information obtained under Section 109, except for the purposes of prosecution. My hon. Friend was told on 22nd March 1974—[Vol. 870, c. 215]—that police inquiries have not yet been completed and I am not in a position to make any statement.